LMF_Ferguson

//Learning Motivation and Fun//
 //View// the assignment page //for a more detailed explanation of this project.

In this exercise, you'll collect data from our database of interviews about fun and learning. Use this template and the data to create 5 generalizations for what you observed. Your generalizations should answer the questions//


 * //What makes learning fun and engaging?//
 * //What are the implications for your own teaching and design work//

= What are your 5 generalizations? =

//1. A fun learning experience occurred when there was a low level of competition.//
Of the submissions that included some degree of competition, 94 reported that there was a low level of competition. For example, one post discussed experiences in an alternative school where the individual was able to learn such things as woodworking and pottery. The learning was fun because he had an opportunity to produce something original and not worry about if it was right or wrong. In my own teaching I offer opportunities for traditional 'grading' to be taken out of the equation and instead allow the class to be graded more for their effort. Every time I have done this, they seem to enjoy the activity more, probably because the stress of getting 'graded' on their work, they are judged on how hard they try and it's more individualized.

//2. When the teacher has a lot of energy and adds a high level of humor into the lesson, learners have a memorable experience.//
Several posts (31) noted that their fun learning experience included a teacher that injected humor and a lot of energy into the lesson. In one post in particular, Jodi recalls a one day class she took titled 'Outrageous Teaching'. The class done over a summer on a Saturday, which many of us would dread taking simply due to its timing, turned out to be one of the best teaching classes she has taken, mainly due to the humor and energy put into by the instructor. I have a strong believe that learning SHOULD be fun, although it's not always easy to make a lesson 'fun'. I would love to take a class like Jodi did, to learn ways to make lessons more fun.

//3. A high level of cooperation is a key aspect to a fun learning experience.//
One of the buzz words while I was in my teacher credential program and even still now as a teacher is cooperative learning, so It comes as no surprise to me that several people had memorable, fun learning experiences that involved a high level of cooperation. One post that stood out as an excellent example of how a high level of cooperation made the learning fun, was made by Brian in regards to his drumline experience in high school. The teacher was very creative here, having the drumline play as a whole but then requiring one person to keep playing while the others stopped... then those who stopped had to jump back in. As a science teacher, my lessons often require group work. It's a challenge to ensure that each student does his/her part,but if I can manage to find a way to ensure they all 'need' each other for the activity to be successful, I generally see great results.

4. A fun learning experience can occur even if the sensory richness level is low.
While looking through the database of LMF posts, I found it interesting that people would have memorable and fun learning experiences in the absence of high or even medium sensory richness. Taking a closer look, I saw a big correlation between this and the teacher exhibiting a lot of humor and energy. However, not every one had this correlation. Some individuals such as the woman on the post KS112 who recalls learner how to embroider as a young girl. If the lesson is something that a person has a personal interest in, the sensory richness does not need to be high. Although most of my students react positively to lessons in which the sensory richness level is on the higher end, some do not need all of that in order to be engaged. I think that this is mainly due to the fact that they are already interested in the topic and want to learn about it no matter what form it comes in.

5. The learning experience is fun and motivating when the content is challenging.
The content varied from photography, to geometry to learning a monologue for an acting class but each of those (and 68 others) reported the content being challenging for their fun learning experience. The individuals felt inspired in various ways to meet the challenge of learning the content or completing the task, and by doing so the lessons left a lasting impression on them. As a learner I too have fond memories of accomplishing something that was challenging or mastering content that was difficult in the beginning. It's very rewarding to get to that point. I try to show my students their growth as learners over a unit and even the whole year in order to help them feel some personal success and a sense of achievement by the time they leave my class.